Before we discuss what a free proxy list is and when to use it, let’s discuss what the word ‘proxy’ implies in computer jargon. A proxy server is a computer that acts as an intermediately between a user’s computer and the internet. When you as a user connect your computer to the internet, this is what happens. You might be using a Wi-Fi modem to connect your computer to the internet. Your Wi-Fi modem is connected to a server that is connected to the internet. Now the computer that connects you via your Wi-Fi to the internet is a proxy server. It is acting as an intermediately to connect you to the internet.

Large organizations have their internal networks, and they have proxy servers to connect them to other networks like the internet. In a situation where you don’t have access to the internet, and your mobile phone is connected to its service provider, you turn the ‘hot spot’ feature on of your mobile phone and use it as a modem to connect your computer to the internet. The mobile phone service provider’s internet server acts as your proxy server.

Proxy servers hide the identity of the users. You can easily find anonymous proxy server list by searching the internet. Another reason why proxy servers are used is when a user wants to access a website that for some reason has been banned in the area where the user resides. In such cases, a user will search for an anonymous proxy list or a working proxy list and use it to access the banned website.

Another reason for the popularity of proxy servers is that some users can use it at the same time. If you have a Wi-Fi modem in your house and several people are using the internet simultaneously. The server serving your requests will be a proxy server as its provides internet connectivity services to all the users in your house.

Proxy servers are used by internet service providers. When a user requests for a website, the proxy server will search in its database and return the cached page to the user. If the user sends a request and the proxy server does not have a copy in its cache, it will try and establish a connection with the requested site, and when it does, it will display the page to the user.

Some organizations that do business with internet service providers and web hosting service providers have extra capacity available in their setups. So to make use of this unutilized capacity, they either sell proxy services or provide free proxy server facilities.

If a user wants to visit websites that are banned in the region, he or she can easily find service providers who will hide their original IP address with a fake IP address. Such websites use proxy servers to help users hide their identities and surf the internet without any restrictions.

Hackers are also known to use proxy servers to escape detection by law enforcement authorities. They don’t want to get caught, and they don’t want their true identities revealed. In fact, they hop from one proxy server to another while conducting their nefarious activities. Terrorist groups and other illegal groups who don’t want to reveal their true location also use proxy servers to spread their propaganda.

At any given time new proxy servers become available, and their IP addresses are carried on free online proxy sites on the internet.